My CANned-hAM

[090]

I used to think about certain bikes 'thats a bit ugly', now its more 'hey , thats got character'. Bit like the kx rear guard. I do like the Can-Am's 'character'!

[Husky500evo]

The front cover of the November '77 issue of Motocross Action magazine has a picture of Jimmy Ellis on a works Can Am with a cool looking aluminium tank . I would scan it & post it if I knew how .

[Nitram]

Did I hear somone say that MX6s are ugly !  Hey !  Wash your mouth out with soap.  And where's the goddamn moderators of this forum !  Blasphemies like that shouldn't be tolerated !!

Having said that, there is a certain "boxiness" about the side numberplates and back guard that requires a certain degree of culture to fully appreciate. And Can-Ams are bikes that are meant to be ridden, just looked at like some Japper CR or YZ.  If you look at this piccy of an MX6 in full flight, you'll see that the "boxiness" sort of disappears when you put a rider on it and move off the showroom floor and onto the track.

Well, that's what I reckon anyway- 'though I am perhaps a little partial to the orange Canadian beauties !

Cheers,

Nitram   

[JC]

Paul Kalika from Vic has a photo of his bike w modified RM400 sidecovers on the classiccanam website, under Viewers Bike photos. It removes the boxy look of the standard MX6 sidecovers. Worth a look.

[Husky500evo]

I think that I prefer the look of the back end of this works Can Am pictured at Mammoth Mountain on the Classic Can Am website . The rear guard / numberplate combo does away with the ugly sidepanels . I have a set of Fox piggybacks that are about 390mm eye to eye long , so I hope they are the correct length .

[Nitram]

Hi Husky Evo,
I think that the stock MX6 shocks are 410 or 415mm long.  So I guess at 390 your Fox might be a bit short.
Nitram

[Husky500evo]

The Fox piggybacks in the picture above seem to have a longer extension on the bottom eye , so I may be able to get away with that .

[Canam370]

Hello Husky Evo. The bike you have pictured grew into the Qualifier4 and the Sonic 500. The shocker length is 440mm and the frame is substantially different to the MX6. They also run a different airbox. If you were at the Vinduro you might have seen my Qual4 parked at the impound? Kawaboy,that is my 370 pic on the Classic Canam site - I do admit I have returned to the original style of covers once I sourced some for some degree of authenticity but it looks pretty good using the RM covers! If you are using a Qualifier  frame the 410mm shocks will be too long; 390mm was the std length (the top mount is in a different position and the bike sits lower) unless you use the mx arm and the longer forks. I've been hiding unnatural attractions for these beasts since I puchased my first 175 O/R in '76 and have been collecting and racing the things for too long! Its bloody great to have so much enthusiasm shown for these bikes - its about time!

[Husky500evo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-Am-1980-Can-Am-MX-6-400-cc-Near-Mint_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ159588QQihZ011QQitemZ320280929453QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
I see a nice looking 400 MX6B on U.S ebay . His listing says shipping to USA only , but I imagine that some sellers can be persuaded otherwise . It would be nice to see a few more of these on OZ racetracks . I also see an '81 Can Am 125 MX on US ebay at the moment . 

[mx250]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-Am-1980-Can-Am-MX-6-400-cc-Near-Mint_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ159588QQihZ011QQitemZ320280929453QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
I see a nice looking 400 MX6B on U.S ebay . His listing says shipping to USA only , but I imagine that some sellers can be persuaded otherwise . It would be nice to see a few more of these on OZ racetracks . I also see an '81 Can Am 125 MX on US ebay at the moment . 

Did you notice this.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycles___1979-Can-Am-370-Qualifier-Very-Nice-Condition_W0QQitemZ300245443902QQddnZMotorcyclesQQddiZ2283QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300245443902&_trkparms=72%3A971%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245.l1318

$1200US Buy Now . Now thats gotta be good value

[Husky500evo]

There is definitely some bargains in the U.S of A .

[Tahitian_Red]

I bought my MX-6B for $750 US on eBay.     I was the only bidder.

It was runnnig, complete and in great shape!  I just freshened up things (new air cleaner, new tires and new plastics).  After I raced it twice I replaced the bars, grips and clutch lever.  The original Ohlins were in great shape, but needed to be re-valved and add the proper springs for my weight.  After looking at the cost of restoring them I was getting close to the cost of a new set of modern Ohlins, so I bit the bullet.

Still my best buys have been on Craig's List.  I purchased three 1979 KX250's for a total of $1200 US.  All of them complete and two of the three are running bikes.
    

[Husky500evo]

I bought a new printer with a built in scanner . Just giving it a test run with Jimmy Ellis on the works Can Am .